A Family Summer!

I have a lot of catching up to do with this blog. This summer we went to Utah for a bit to see family up to Grace, Idaho to visit. We had a great time! July 24th was a blast in Utah with parades and fireworks...wow! Also little cousin Luren's 2nd birthday party where all the kids/babies had a blast! Ella and Adison had so much fun in the waterslide water. Adi was hilarious trying to drink water and putting her face in it. She was soaked! haha! They all loved the bouncy ball area too! So fun! Here's some picture to summarize.

This is a neat story. Thanks for sharing it Dad! It's inspiring.

GLASS OF MILK ...

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry.

He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.

Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water! . She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it so slowly, and then asked, How much do I owe you?"

You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness."

He said .... "Then I thank you from my heart."

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Many year's later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.

Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.

Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.

Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once.

He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case.

After a long struggle, the battle was won.

Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge, and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words ....

"Paid in full with one glass of milk"

(Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.

Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You,
God, that Your love has spread broad through human hearts and hands."

Cool Music Stuff

Check out this youtube video. So cool! Just had to share it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlW5c4tInvY

WATER!!!

Once she took time to watching everone playing in the water she knew it wasn't something to be scared about. She was worried about it being cold too but she got over that quickly when she saw the other babies playing by her. She loves the spray park and I can't wait to take her back!

Spray Park

We had a great day today at the Rexbug Spray Park. Daddy introduced Adison to the water by sitting her right in it. She hated it at first. I held her in a towel for a few minutes while she watched all the other kids play. I guess she decided to try again...or at least we 'let' her and she loved it..eventually. It's chilly water but she sat with the other little kids and had a blast! Tj was so sweet to want to play with her. I couldn't even hold her more than a minute and he had to play in the water with her and get her warm afterwards. He is such a good daddy! I do think her favorite part the day was getting out of the wet swimmy and getting warm. She sure cuddled with daddy to get herself warm. It was a warm day but she still needed to be wrapped up in a blanket for a while. She was so cold after playing in the water. I can't wait to take her back. As often as I can...I will.

I love Porter Park! It has everything! It was so busy today and it is so fun watching everyone. There was frisbee, baseball, soccer, tennis, climbing wall, dunk tank, playground and swings, spray park, there's a carousel there, sno cones...it's the coolest. There were so many people cooking out. The dunk tank and climb wall were for an Institute activity day and they also had this bouncy...thing. It was definitely the place to be....AHH! I was just sitting here typing and a centipede crawled across the floor! Scared me! ..okay it's outside now so ...back to our day...

After the park we went across the street to eat Bambinos. That is kind of like a hot pocket but they are fried and the outside is like pastry while the inside is yummy deliciousness. We got a BBQ beef, chicken-ranch, and Aloha which is pineapple and ham and cheese. They are so good. Even got curly fries and a drink. I'll definitely go there again!

We also got to go to the store together and get Adison some cute new clothes. She needed them and I'm so glad TJ got another random grant so we had money to get them. Oh I haven't mentiond that yet.

Well, a week ago he got an email saying he had received a grant for the semester that we are in right now. Five hundred dollars! Wow! All he had to do to get it was write a nice letter of thanks and telling about himself and send in a picture of himself. Done and done! What a wonderful blessing for us. Of course as poor college students never knowing where the money will come from for certain things...we are so much more grateful. We have continually been blessed with help financially and protection and so much more since we've been married. I know it's because we always do what we are supposed to and we have our scripture study and prayers and pay tithing and well...I'm just married to a wonderful guy who makes all that so easy to remember to do too. He's amazing! I love you TJ! Thanks for a wonderful, wonderful day!

Not Sleepy!

Ever since she learned to sit up on her own she doesn't go to sleep very quickly or easily. She gets too distracted when she sits up and is looking around. She's starting to pull herself up on the bar so we have to lower it this week. So far she gets on her knees and sucks on the bar but I don't want her getting out by herself.

I love checking on her when she is sleeping and seeing the funny positions she gets herself in. Bum in the air is my favorite next to her big grins she gives me when I go in to check on her and she's sitting up.

Crazy Hats!

She loved trying on all the hats she's never worn before. I had to down size all the stuff she's grown out of...which is a lot. She's also wearing an outfit I made her. Yeah!

To The Park!!!

Today we took Adison to the park to introduce her to swings and slides. She loved the slides but not as much as she loved the swing! Had to put some blankets around her so she wouldn't fall out of the swing but that just made it more comfortable.

Porter Park also has a free splash park so we introduced Adison to the water. She loves bath time and I've been wanting to take her there for a long time. She loved it of course! She was kicking her feet in the little spouts but kids kept splashing her which she didnt' like. She loves touching the water too. I can't wait to take her back but we'll need to wait for a warmer day.

Bath Time!

Adison loves bath time. We finally tried bathing her all by herself recently with mommy watching close by. She love the water! Besides splashing I think her favorite thing to do is suck the water out of the washrag. She's such a doll! It's getting hard to clean her scalp through all that hair though...but I am not complaing. She's so cute!

Ward Campout

Ward Campout! This past weekend we went out to Green Canyon with the ward. Adison loved playing with all the babies on one big blanket. She loves playing with other kids and I really wish we had more playdates for her.

Anyway, we all had a great time. We had yummy foil dinner with potatoes, carrots, chicken, bacon, onion...mmm! We played volleyball, sat around the fire. Adison ate her first marshmellow which she loved...ha ha.

It was a beautiful spot. We were right on the river and the canyon was so green. We saw a baby moose in the morning and another moose...oh wait - that was the great dane someone brought. So sweet for such a big dog.

Since our tent busted a couple summers ago we...still don't have one. So we slept in the van. It was actually more spatious than I thought. It got so cold though. I had to makeshift a tent over Adison and myself to keep us warmer. I didn't sleep much because I was so worried about her being cold. I think it got down to thirty something. She slept so good though - probably because she was up all night around the fire with us. I didn't mind. Hopefull we can do it all again when things warm up in Idaho.

It was such a fun trip!

To My Dad

Dad
Thank you for being such a wonderful father. You've taught me so much, always encouraged me, provided for me, and always been there for me. I'm so grateful to you for teaching me what a father is being someone I've always admired. I love you so much! Happy Fathers Day!

Fathers

The greatest gift I ever had
Came from God; I call him Dad!
~Author Unknown

"Any man can be a Father but it takes someone special to be a dad." -- Anne Geddes

"Every mother generally hopes that her daughter will snag a better husband than she managed to do...but she's certain that her boy will never get as great a wife as his father did." -- Anonymous

"A father is always making his baby into a little woman. And when she is a woman he turns her back again." -- Enid Bagnold

"If the new American father feels bewildered and even defeated, let him take comfort from the fact that whatever he does in any fathering situation has a fifty percent chance of being right." -- Bill Cosby

"I talk and talk and talk, and I haven't taught people in 50 years what my father taught by example in one week." -- Mario Cuomo

"Lucky that man whose children make his happiness in life and not his grief, the anguished disappointment of his hopes. " -- Euripedes

"A father is a banker provided by nature." -- French Proverb

"I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection." -- Sigmund Freud

"Fathers, like mothers, are not born. Men grow into fathers - and fathering is a very important stage in their development." -- David M. Gottesman

"My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it." -- Clarence Budington Kelland

"My father taught me to work; he did not teach me to love it." -- Abraham Lincoln

Tickle Time

Choo Choo

Playing with my blue dress on

Playing in her new dress. She loves that it's long. She likes to put it in her mouth...like everything else.

New Dress!

This is one of the dresses I've been waiting for her to grow into. I love it. It's so pretty and she is so pretty in it. She loved playing with it.

Yumm!

She loves food! She's eating all kinds of baby food, though it doesn't always agree with her tummy. Poor baby gets constipated way too much. She loves bread and those little puff baby treats that dissolve in her mouth. Those are her new favorites. She always has to try what mom and dad are eating. Last month she took my apple and loved it. There are pictures of that down below somewhere. She loves drinking apple juice out of her sippy cup and she feeds herself apples and pears with that chew toy divice. She can feed herself those puff treats now. It's so fun watching her try something over and over and then she finally gets it. So cute! She's growing so much! Almost eight months now. Still not crawling but I'm not rushing her. She rolls everywhere she wants to be...under the coffee table, under the couch...chairs...so funny!

Play Time

Pictures of Adison playing. She was having fun playing on her animal blanket Aunt Katee made her. She kept playin shy to the camera and it was so cute. She was burrying her face in her arms. Also G&G Spangenburg got her a fun train that she loves. It moves and plays music and has little balls that move through. Neato!

One of her newest personality developments is her giant smile. I did not know her smile could get bigger but she does the cheesiest smile now and her eyes almost looked closed, cheeks big and showing all her teeth. I think that one is especially for the camera she is so fond of. Loves getting her picture taken and taking the camera too.

Sleepy Baby

She was so cute sleeping. She was on her knees with her bum in the air. Every time I check on her sleeping I can't help but think how special she is and how lucky I am to have such a wonderful, beautiful daughter. She is so fun. I love being a mommy!

Robot Project

Click picture for larger view...

This was an idea i found at my favorite craft store called Porters. It's a magnetic box with little magneted robots. I think it's so cute. It would be fun for a quiet time thing but there are so many things that can be done with these magnet boxes. I want to make a paper doll one for Adison. It would be so perfect. I guess the magnets could go on anything. I made this for Gideon's birthday but mostly I guess I made it because it was so cute and fun. I also made a matching card for Gid's birthday. I've had a lot of fun making cards lately...better get started on Father's Day cards.

Look at those teeth!

I love these pictures. Curly hair, blue eyes, and look at those teeth!

Play Pin

Our friends Katie and Cody are having a baby girl this September but they have all kinds of baby stuff from family members and they're letting us borrow this. Adison loves it! It has some parts that light up and play mmusic when she pushes buttons or pulls on things. We need to get her one of these things...but this one is too big for our little space.

Dancing with Daddy

This was fun. She's starting to develop such a fun personality. It's nice to see her having fun with daddy. She and I are together all day and we play a lot but she's learning that dad is fun too.

Cute baby

I had a lot of fun making cards last week. I made ten cards for mothers and grandmothers and then I ran out of stmamps so I couldn't send them until today. Most I just used a particular flower punch I have. It was fun!

Having fun

Just some more fun videos of a cute baby playing! I love being a mommy!

Silly Sheep

Grandma Alicia sent this cute sheep for Adison for Easter. She loves it as you can tell from the video! Thanks Grandma!

Mothers Day Weekend

Saturday night we decided to try our luck with taking Adison to a movie. We saw Percy Jackson which I was super excited to see because I just read the book a few weeks ago. The movie was so different from the book but that's a different story.

Adison was so good! I was amazed. She took a bottle when it started and then slept for over an hour. When she woke up she was so happy and played and then it was over. I didn't even have to leave the theater. Amazing! Then we met some good friends at G's Dairy for ice cream. Wonderful place and it's only a couple blocks from our apartment. It was such a fun night and I didn't have to stress about having a babysitter and worrying about baby. Nice!

We had such a good Mother's Day. TJ and Adison brought me breakfast in bed. So nice! Adison got up early so she was ready for sleep as soon as we got to church. She made it about fifteen minutes into RS and we spent the rest of the period in the mother's lounge. That must be her favorite place or something. She loves rocking in those comfy chairs. Even though Adison was fighting sleep the day went well. Came home for a long nap and ended with lasagna. Mmmm. For Mother's Day TJ got me a couple of pretty green plants- just what I wanted. I have missed having plants in the house since we moved last fall. My plants are all down with Grandma's plants in Mona. She's taking good care of them but we haven't found time to get down to Utah yet. Hopefully soon. Thanks for a wonderful weekend honey! Love you!

Meeting G&G Hunter

A couple weekends ago we were finally able to go to Rupert, Idaho and introduce Adison to Great Grandma and Grandpa Hunter. It was a special visit moreso because Adison Irene Hunter is named after Grandma Vivian Irene Hunter. I love these pictures. She didn't sleep well there so she was really tired and it was trying to get pictures of her. It was a quick visit because I had to speak the following Sunday. We also left Saturday afternoon for Kimberly, Idaho to meet up with my Grandma, cousins, Aunts and Uncles, and all my dads Aunts andUncles - it was for Great Aunt Ivy's 80th birthday celebration. It was neat to see all Grandpa Gene's brothers and sisters. It was so fun! It was such a good trip - so nice to see everyone - even if it was a quick trip.

Mmmmm Apple

She wasn't interested in the little chew toy thing. I put a piece of an apple inside so she could learn to feed herself and eat it and stuff but she wanted my part of the apple instead. Loved the teaste!

6 Month Old Videos

Adison is such a fun, happy baby. She has the cutest laugh- if she lets you hear it.

6 Month Old Videos

She was having so much fun laughing with daddy until I turned the camera on. She has this fascination for cameras and when one is on her everything else stops. So funny!

Mothers Who Know

I love this talk about Womenhood and Mothers. It makes me think about the type of mother I want to be and the mother the Lord wants me to be. It really puts things into perspective and I've been pondering on this for a couple of days now. One of the biggest things that caught my attention was about...mothers should keep a clean home for the spirit to dwell there and teach their families...something like that. Actually after I heard that part (when I was listening to it a couple of nights ago) I looked around my messy apartment and then got up and cleaned it. Ya, it influenced me all right.

I'm not sure how to upload websites yet so hears the address...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrUZhhijlw8

Mothers

There is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of motherhood.

The first question: What can you do, as a young mother, to reduce the pressure and enjoy your family more?

First, recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction.

Second, don’t overschedule yourselves or your children.

Third, even as you try to cut out the extra commitments, sisters, find some time for yourself to cultivate your gifts and interests. Pick one or two things that you would like to learn or do that will enrich your life, and make time for them. Water cannot be drawn from an empty well, and if you are not setting aside a little time for what replenishes you, you will have less and less to give to others, even to your children.

Fourth, pray, study, and teach the gospel. Pray deeply about your children and about your role as a mother. Parents can offer a unique and wonderful kind of prayer because they are praying to the Eternal Parent of us all. There is great power in a prayer that essentially says, “We are steward-parents over Thy children, Father; please help us to raise them as Thou wouldst want them raised.”

The second question: What more can a husband do to support his wife, the mother of their children?

First, show extra appreciation and give more validation for what your wife does every day. Notice things and say thank you—often. Schedule some evenings together, just the two of you.

Second, have a regular time to talk with your wife about each child’s needs and what you can do to help.

Third, give your wife a “day away” now and then. Just take over the household and give your wife a break from her daily responsibilities. Taking over for a while will greatly enhance your appreciation of what your wife does. You may do a lot of lifting, twisting, and bending!

Fourth, come home from work and take an active role with your family. Don’t put work, friends, or sports ahead of listening to, playing with, and teaching your children.

The third question: What can children, even young children, do? Now, you children, please listen to me because there are some simple things you can do to help your mother.

You can pick up your toys when you are finished playing with them, and when you get a little older, you can make your bed, help with the dishes, and do other chores—without being asked.

You can say thank you more often when you finish a nice meal, when a story is read to you at bedtime, or when clean clothes are put in your drawers.

Most of all, you can put your arms around your mother often and tell her you love her.

Daughters of God
M. Russell Ballard, “Daughters of God,” Ensign, May 2008, 108–10

Motherhood: A Divine Calling

“Motherhood,” they wrote, “is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.”

Thank the Lord for these sisters who—like our Heavenly Father—love us not only for what we are but for what we may become.

Our Sacred Duty to Honor Women by Russell M. Nelson, May 1999

My Mom

I have been pondering lately on what motherhood is. How can I be a better mother? Who has influenced me in my life? What does the Lord ask of me as a mother and daughter?

I have also been missing my own mother this past while, knowing Mother's Day was this week. I wish I could tell her in person how much I love and care for her; how much I appreciate all that she has ever done for me and taught me. I'm so grateful to my mother for always being there- being a friend when I needed someone to listen; ready to pick up the phone whenever I call with new or exciting new- or no news at all, just to say "hi". She taught me to love, to love learning, to love the gospel. I miss being around her and watching her - learning by her example.

I remember growing up, finding my mother on her knees by her bed so many times- perhaps praying for strength to raise four teenage daughters. What an impression that always made on me - to leave her in her hallowed moment - she doesn't know this but she taught me the purpose of prayer.

A reassuring voice, love, service, comforting words, advice, sharing hobbies - these are all things I think of when I think of my mother. I hope that I can learn to be a mother like her. Always there when needed.

I can't think of words to describe all I want to say about my mother. A wonderful woman, example and thes best mother in my world.

I love you mom. Happy Mothers Day!

5 months old

Cameron's Mission Call

Here's Cameron opening his call. There is more writing below! Such an exciting event - we are so glad we could be a part of it. Thanks Cam. Our prayers are with you.

Telling Grandma

Cameron's Mission Call

El Salvador, San Salvador West Beliz Mission

We have really enjoyed having my cousin Cameron up here for a semester and we are so grateful to have been able to be there when he opened his mission call. We are so excited for him! It was fun having his parents on the video camera over internet while having them on one phone, brother Brandon on a phone, then we called Grandma Grace on a phone...wow it was a little chaotic but so fun! Then a few more people called to wish him luck and give their congradulations as well.

We're so proud of you Cameron! So excited that you get to serve in such a neat place. I know there are so many people waiting for you there.

Yes, he is called to serve in two different countries. So neat! They're not even connected. He's going to have to cross another country to get to Beliz. Wow! Spanish speaking - leaves for the MTC July 28. Good luck Cameron! We already miss having you here in Rexburg!

Easter 2010

We didn't do much for Easter this year but it was nice to spend the weekend together watching conference. We had a nice big dinner (ham, potatoes, salad, fruit salad, monkey bread - sort of, etc) with all kinds of fixin's. My cousin Cameron came over and our neighbors Lisa and Michael Howell. Then we played games for a bit. It was relaxing before the last week of finals for everyone - not me though. woo hoo!

These are pictures of Adison wearing her Easter dress that Yaya got for her. So cute! She loves dresses becasue she loves to put them in her mouth. This is her little bunny she got too. Maybe next year we will be able to do an egg hunt with her. It's fun to think of what we can do with our kids as they get older.

Tricks

5 months old!

I always forget that I can't turn the videos when I put them online. Anyway, here is Adison's new trick. That bottle is one of her favorite toys! She's so funny!

First Feeding

Adison loved her first tast of green beans. She's still trying to figure out the spoon but she's rather use her hands to shove the food in. Too fun! I love watching her faces when she tries new foods. Since this video she's tried applesauce and peaches also and she's loving different foods. This is such a fun age. She's growign up so fast.

Baby Dress

Well, we finally got pictures of Adison in her blessing dress. This dress is especially meaningful because I made it in my childrens sewing class my last semester of school. It was so fun to make but don't look too closely- this is just my first dress. I really want to make more dresses but I need to get myself a little area set up to work from first.

She loved the dress. She was grabbing at each layer and tossing them around at first and then she found out she liked the taste or something because by a few minutes into the photo shoot she couldn't keep the dress out of her mouth. Cutie!

This past month Adison and myself, along with cousin Cameron were able to take a weekend trip to Grace, Idaho to visit Grandma Grace. Finally Adi got to meet Great Grandma Grace! We got some fun pictures! Now we just need to make trips to Mona, Utah and Rupert, Idaho to visit more grandparents.

It was such a fun weekend with family. We spent Saturday afternoon in Pocatello, meeting Grandma, Aunt Amy, Olivia, Aunt Robyn, Camille, Derrick, Aleesha, Don and baby Jace....was that everyone? It was so fun! We went out to lunch and then to Princess and the Frog. The weekend before TJ and I tried to got see a movie with Adison. It was a bad idea. Adison fussed and I saw twenty minutes of the whole thing. So...I was worried about this show. Well, she slept the first half hour and then she actually watched it. I saw the whole thing. She was so cute. I think she liked the music and bright colors. But...I still don't think we'll be taking her to more movies any time soon.

The Sunday we were there was Valentines Day - Adi's first. Yaya (my mom) sent a cute little valentine outfit for Adi and a cute bracelet. Also we got her this cute little teddy bear which she just loves. We missed daddy a lot that weekend but we sent pictures back and forth and did a lot of texting and stuff. It was a nice trip andAdison was wonderful but she still liked getting home. She knows home.

Our New Home

Coming soon...pictures of our new apartment before and after....just need to unpack everything first.

Too many changes

Well Adison turns three months old next week on the ninth and she is cutting her first tooth. So odd to be happening now but it is. She's been having a rough time adjusting to the big move to Idaho but is doing better now. She's getting use to being in our little home and use to her bed. She's had a coupleof really great nights. But...now that she is teething she has a stuffy, runny nose and a little cough. I wish I could help her out but some medicine is all I can do. Poor baby! I wonder if this one tooth will come through and then she'll be done for a while..or be miserable for months and months. We'll make due. We're still trying to unpack. It seems like every evening when we finally get home and baby is being so good...something comes up that takes our attention from unpacking. I can't wait until this house is in order and then, hopefully it will feel more like a home. It's been fun playing house again but we sure do miss being back in Goddard. I love you all family! Miss you!

Maybe soon I can get pictures of Adi's tooth. Oh ya...she hates Orajel. It's so funny watching her face when she gets some. I don't think she likes the numbing because it's not normal to her. She's so funny when she gets some. Ha Ha!

2 months old

From Collages

These pictures are from our two month old Adison phot shoot. She was finally starting to fit some of her 0-3 month clothes and it's so fun to play dress up with her. She looks so good in red...and blue... purple...and about anything. Beautiful girl!